Renault Triber Expert Review

The Triber continues with its familiar, practical design, with a gloss-black grille featuring Renault’s new logo, LED headlamps and DRLs, and a large lower air dam with a silver surround. The 15-inch wheels, functional roof rails and dual-tone treatment give it a neat appearance, while the LED tail-lamps are connected by gloss-black trim at the rear. Ground clearance stands at 182mm, while boot space with the third row removed is 625 litres.

The Triber’s cabin continues to make an impressive case for space efficiency, offering generous room within its sub-four-metre footprint. The front seats are adequately comfortable, while the second row is the most spacious and versatile, with sliding, reclining and split-folding functions. Dedicated AC vents and adjustable headrests add to its practicality. The third row remains the Triber’s biggest USP, offering surprisingly good comfort for shorter journeys, along with AC vents, adjustable headrests and three-point seatbelts. Storage space is also plentiful, although the cabin does show some cost-cutting in areas such as the roof liner and interior trim.

The Triber remains well-equipped, with an 8-inch touchscreen offering wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless charging, automatic climate control, cruise control, automatic headlamps and wipers, and a cooled centre storage box. Safety equipment includes six airbags, ABS, EBD, ESP, traction control, hill-start assist, TPMS and parking sensors at both ends. The Turbo version also gets retuned ABS, ESC and traction control, while the earlier Triber’s four-star Global NCAP rating adds to its safety credentials.

The naturally aspirated petrol engine remains adequate for everyday use, but the new 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol brings a significant improvement in performance. With 100 hp and 180 Nm, it offers much stronger mid-range pulling power and makes the Triber considerably more capable on highways and when fully loaded. The turbo engine does have some hesitation below 2,000rpm and becomes vocal at higher revs, while the five-speed manual’s shifts aren't particularly slick. The NA engine remains the simpler option for relaxed everyday driving, while the turbo addresses the Triber’s biggest weakness — performance.

The naturally aspirated manual Triber has a claimed efficiency of 19.76 kmpl, while the turbo-petrol version is claimed to return 21 kmpl. Real-world efficiency will depend on driving conditions and usage, with the turbo unlikely to match its claimed figure in everyday driving. Renault is also working towards introducing a CNG powertrain, which the re-engineered platform has been designed to accommodate.

The Triber’s suspension delivers a composed ride, with the turbo version receiving revised springs, shock-absorber valve technology and anti-roll bars to account for its additional weight. It feels more settled at higher speeds and manages body roll well through corners. The steering is light and makes the Triber easy to manoeuvre in tight city spaces, although it lacks feel as speeds rise. Overall, the Triber remains easy to drive and offers impressive composure for a compact MPV.

The Renault Triber continues to be a cleverly packaged and versatile people mover, with its spacious cabin, flexible seating and compact dimensions making it particularly practical for family use. The naturally aspirated version remains the straightforward choice for everyday driving, while the turbo adds the performance needed for more confident highway use. Some cost-cutting, cabin noise and the notchy manual gearbox remain shortcomings, but the Triber's space efficiency and versatility continue to make it a strong value proposition.